Incense burns slowly beautifully lit before the memorial photo of Uzumaki Sayo. Silence envelopes the hall with candle lights creating sweet shades around, Arashi kneels seiza style before the Butsudan, hands laid on his knees. It was a routine he had always done. A way to create a closure to his mother.
For a while he stayed still, his breathe calm, not a word spoken, his face showed no emotions yet his crimson eyes looked more human than ever before, carrying a heavy longing.
"I finally got promoted" He whispered.
The silence stretched once more. His fist turning white from being clenched.
"I finally passed the rite. They saw me qualified." He breaks again. Holding still once more
"I'm stronger now. Just like you and otōsan wanted. Like you taught me. I did not give up on my trainings. I have even finished the books you kept for me...and read them again. Also, I do not skip on meals because you said so. I go to bed when necessary. I do not overwork myself. Although there was one time... couple of times I disobeyed...but it's not my fault...I was in danger, injured and hungry... Hope you forgive me...." His eyes watery, lips slightly curved to make a curt smile. Closing the eyes to release the stream packed up, he takes a deeper breath again.
"Bigger missions will start soon. They gave me two months of rest before I report to them. I want to use it to find my companion. I have never been able to since I was young. Even while in the forest I couldn't find...Felt it wasn't time yet. There was no connection. But l'll be heading to the kennels soon. I feel it stronger now, that I'll meet him soon...or her....but I'll prefer a him...want to have a little brother to fight with. I always...."
*Shiii*
The door into the room slowly slids open, Inuzuka Renga walks in. A towering and broad-shouldered middle aged man, with a heavily muscled frame worn by years of battle. His hair long, rugged ash-gray hair often tied into a high warrior's tail, sharp golden-brown eyes—wolf-like, always scanning with one eye having a faint white sheen due to damage from a past explosion. Strong jawline, high cheekbones, and the traditional Inuzuka fang-like red markings—but his extend further, reaching near his temples as a mark of clan status. Adorning a dark crimson battle haori with fur lining—gifted by the Uzumaki clan through his wife, black flak shinobi armor beneath. Around his neck is a small pendant of braided Uzumaki and Inuzuka hair, in honor of his late wife, Sayo. Beside him, his trusted companion for decades, Kurogane— a giant black wolf-hound hybrid, larger than most standard ninken, coarse jet-black fur with streaks of silver near the muzzle and tail, bright amber eyes with vertical slits with a single scar running his left eye giving it making it more intimidating even to elite shinobis.
Although both carry weight and heavy presence, they moved as silent as a still water, not a sound heard from both feet and paws. Arashi remains ignorant of the new pair as he continues soliloquizing.
'he has grown these past few years.' Kurogane speaks telepathically to his friend and brother. His voice deep, weighty and majestic.
'hmm..true...sigh...I have done him wrong, old friend. I just don't know how to about it with him...that was Sayo's job...sigh...I miss her everyday' Renga opens up
'i'll still call you a fool as always. Take the step first. Nothing begins without a step, for once do not plan before acting, this isn't a battle, this is your son. This time, you speak...or I'll bite of your smelly ass.' Kurogane replies. A little growl escapes from him. His gaze shifts back to the fragile statue of his godson. He had watch the boy from child birth, took him as his own, played with him, fed him and trained him. His gaze softens reminiscing on his memories with the boy, soon shifts back his gaze to his brother more threatening letting him know that is words should not be taken lightly.
Seeing Kurogane like that, a little chuckle escapes his mouth hiding the throbbing heart knowing his companion does not joke. He had done it while they were younger when he took his threats towards him baseless.
Soon they both reach where Arashi was, Kurogane lays comfortably to his left, his eyes closed and relax, breathe steady. Renga walks towards his right, taking his kneeling position. His back straight, hands on his thighs, eyes beady just staring at the woman he always love, longing and desire to follow her but duty bound to protect and watch over their son till he can shoulder the world. A sigh escapes his mouth.
Arashi becomes silent. Finally recognizing the two presence. His remaining family. Silence ensues. Two humans and One Ninken.
For a while, the silence stretches till a growl is heard, that was the only signal Renga needed to know what comes next.
"Heard you have been promoted."
"Yes."
"Good."
"..."
"..."
'growwllll..you damn fool! SPEAK UP!' Kurogane growls
"Alright alright...shessh it's called a buildup. You know I'm a little shy around my son. His so fierce and all grown you...no longer that cute poppy I can coarse with rice cake"
"You know you're speaking out loud, Otōsan" Arashi announces
"..."
"..."
'HAHAHAHAHHAHAH....WAY TO GO RENGA' Kurogane gloats yet on the outside his facade of sleeping comfortably remains.
A stifled laugh echoes bringing back Renga from his embarassed state. Locating the source, he sees Arashi, who let's out another laugh, this time free and innocent. Soon, Renga joins in.
After the laugh, the atmosphere became relaxing, both father and son, looking more at ease, their silence more comforting.
"I'm proud of you, son...you have grown to be the man I always wished for you....your mother will be proud" Renga pauses "I miss her you know...not a day goes by...it feels empty without her. It hurts everyday for me... sadly I was selfish to ignore what you were going through because of it too. I ignored your pain, struggles, I should have been there as much as I could. I—I am sorry...as a father, I am sorry" with a heavy sigh he concludes.
Arashi looks at him wide eyed, never expecting it. He understood how much his father loved his mother. There was no day he did not show it when she was alive. Even when she became sick, he never left her side unless to make meals for them all or house duties. His father was a man he looked up to while growing up, to him he was the strongest person in his eyes, unyielding, unbroken. But the day she died, the day they lost her, he cried wrenchingly looking broken, he had never seen his father who was always intimidating look so fragile. Every day since then, he was scared that he would give up on life and on him and end it, to be with her. But every day, he came out looking different but alive. He gave his father the distance he needed. He understood why, why he grew distant, why it was only the pleasantries and nothing else, why they ate in silence, why their solitude was their only escape, why it was only few words when he left for his training rites and when he came back too. He understood it all and he loved him no less, he loved him deeply. He was his father, he remained his hero.
Looking down at his hands no longer clenched, he turns back to his father with a teary face but sincere smile. It spoke more than any words he could utter. Renga, his mouth half open in surprise stares at his son. With a deep smile, he stretches out his hands, drawing his son into an embrace.
"We are alone. No one is here"
And like a dam, the pent up emotions flooded out from both of them, Arashi starting off with little sobs that became loud and Renga following suit. Their cries echoing within the four walls. Uzumaki Sayo, her smile eternally engraved on the picture, but yet felt eerily real towards her most loved boys at the moment.
_______
Tucked along a quiet Konoha side street, the upstart ramen shop, Ichiraku Ramen, exudes a warm aura. its simple wooden stall glowing warmly beneath a red paper lantern. Faded noren curtains sway gently in the breeze, bearing the shop's name in bold calligraphy. Inside, the aroma of rich broth and fresh noodles fills the air, while steam curls from large pots behind the counter. A few stools line the bar, inviting tired shinobi and villagers alike to sit, eat, and feel at home.
Arashi, one of such persons, occupies a seat, slowly savoring the sweet taste of a bold, deep pork-bone broth with black garlic oil and a soft boiled egg. Few times he has let out a satisfactory moan with every taste giving the owner, Old man Ichibei a warm smile as it represents a good review. Another filled bowl was slid to his near empty bowl, bringing him back from his heavenly bliss. He looks up to see a young boy not much older than him, smiling towards him. His face filled with confusion.
"On the house. My old man appreciates your good review." He says
"Uhh, thank you." Arashi could not help but reply.
"Hahaha. Don't mention. By the way , I am Teuchi. And you must be a newly promoted Chūnin, seeing your flak jacket looks new plus it's the first time I have noticed you around here. Or am I wrong?"
"N—no....no you're right, I was newly promoted. As a Chūnin...not a Jōnin. Thank you. My name is Arashi... Inuzuka Arashi"
Teuchi gives a warm nod back to him before heading back to the counter. Arashi with no reason to speak up digs into his half bowl of ramen, eager to enter the next and enjoy the peaceful state.
The peace doesn't follow him out of the shop, as he steps out, he is intentionally or unintentionally blocked on his way by a group of Shinobi.
"Ohhhh, if it isn't the blood mixed Inuzuka. What are you doing here? Thought you guys only take dog biscuits and wild meat?" The leading Shinobi mocks causing his fellows to laugh out loud.
Arashi remains silent, his face expressionless but his eyes filled with rage. It was nof the first time he was mocked for his heritage. Some say the Inuzuka needed a ladder to climb up to where they are and the best way was through marital alliance with the Uzumaki and he was the result of said alliance. The rumors spread amongst Shinobis but because of the status of Inuzuka Renga and Uzumaki Sayo, they were not confronted, however, same could not be said to Arashi. Most of his peers always found opportunities to remind him is status— his mother being low born sold out by the Uzumaki to just keep the Inuzuka at bay from pestering them. Few times he had brawled with them and every time his parents scolded him to ignore such talks, they were baseless and he knew the truth that their marriage was based on love and not some alliance contract. He heard them but did not alway listen, he wanted to prove the haters wrong but every time he spoke to defend, they ultimately shun him with more mockery as such it ends up in a fist fight resulting to injuries from both parties.
And it seemed this time, it may be the same. But he was stronger now, they may be more in numbers, equal in status based on their uniform, he believed he could take them on. Clenching his fist and about to make a move since he believed talking was meaningless before he heard a voice
"Oooh~ if it isn't Takeshi. Are you here to be whopped by me or you're just passing to be whooped by me?"
Arashi, the leading Shinobi now recognized as Takeshi and the rest all face the owner of the voice, Senju Tsunade. Takeshi's face scrunch so much.
"I'm not here to cause trouble with you, Princess" He says biting the word 'princess' as he uttered it.
"Oh..not with me? Then with who? Him? If I recall, he was on his way out when you blocked him, asking for trouble...so why can't I barge in too and ask for my own share of trouble?" Tsunade says, her grin wider than normal, her eyes brimming with mischief, seeing it, Takeshi knew if he continued there would be danger, besides this was a tree too big to beat on.
"Let's go. We don't feel hungry for ramen anymore" Takeshi responds, turning away to leave, his friends follow behind.
"Tsk.. spineless fools" Tsunade irritated.
Soon, it was only Arashi and Tsunade stationed in front of the ramen shop, civilians and other off duty shinobis passing by as usual. Yet it felt like it was just the two of them.
"I could have handled it"
"I know"
"You didn't have to join then"
"I know"
"You can say something else"
"I know"
"...."
"..."
"..."
"Pft!!"
Soon, Tsunade breaks the silence with a laugh. As for Arashi he only stares at the lady before him, however, the more he listened to her laugh, the more relaxed he became and unknowingly a smile crept onto his face.
A hand stretched forward, smooth and beautiful yet holding strength beyond a regular man. Arashi looks at the outstretched hand of Tsunade for a second, before grabbing it.
"You may know me, but I'll properly introduce myself. Name's Tsunade...Senju"
"Inuzuka Arashi "
"I find you interesting. Hope you don't mind me tagging along"
"Oh. Sure"
They both resume their steps as they walk on together blending into the crowd like everyone else.